crocodile: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	Crocodylia • crocodilian • Crocodilia

Photos and Videos

Illustration of an estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) with its mouth open, showing scaly skin and powerful limbs, alongside a scale bar for size reference.

Illustration of a Mississippi or American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) with its mouth open, showing a broad snout, armored body, and thick tail, alongside a scale bar for size reference.

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) with mouth wide open, displaying sharp teeth, lies on a muddy riverbank in sunlight at Pilanesberg National Park.

estuarine crocodile, or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Close-up of two green gharials crocodiles, or the scientifc name Gavialis gangeticus, resting in shallow water, showing their long, narrow snouts and textured greenish skin.

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

A Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) rests on sandy ground near a concrete wall, its body stretched out with head slightly raised.

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Nile crocodile with its head above water and jaws open, swallowing a fish in Kruger National Park.

Witness a crocodile hatchling emerge from its egg and call for its mother

See a crocodile launch its body out of the water to get food

See All Videos, Images and Audio →

Topics

Sarcosuchus Eusuchia Mesosuchia Protosuchia Sebecosuchia Deinosuchus 7 Crocodilian Species That Are Dangerous to Humans What’s the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?Crocodylidae Gavialidae phytosaur

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

sound reception: Crocodiles

The cheetah is the fastest land animal over short distances. It has become an endangered species in Africa, and is almost extinct in Asia. Cheetah mother with young. Cheetah cubs

Moms of the Animal Kingdom Quiz

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Model of a molecule. Atom, Biology, Molecular Structure, Science, Science and Technology. Homepage 2010 arts and entertainment, history and society

Science Quiz

Close up of saltwater crocodile as emerges from water with a toothy grin. The crocodile's skin colorings and pattern camouflage the animal in the wild.

Can You Tell An Alligator From A Crocodile? Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names